Clemson rotation, lineup set for opening series

Ahead of Friday’s opener with William & Mary (4 p.m. first pitch), Clemson coach Monte Lee announced his weekend pitching rotation and some notable position starters.

The Tigers will throw sophomore left-hander Jacob Hennessy on Friday, who will make his first career start after posting a 3.82 ERA with three saves in 26 appearances last season.

Junior right-hander Brooks Crawford will go on Saturday (4-0, 1.23 ERA in 17 appearances last season) and sophomore left-hander Jake Higginbotham is slated for a Sunday start (redshirted last season due to injury).

Every Tiger pitcher who started a game last season is gone from the roster, including two All-ACC products in Pat Krall (8-3, 3.50) and Charlies Barnes (5-5, 3.20). Higginbotham made seven starts as a freshman, going 3-0 with a 4.59 ERA in eight total appearances. Crawford made two starts as a freshman.

In the lineup, Lee said that senior Chris Williams will start the season at first base, instead of catcher, while recovering from a shoulder injury. That will move fellow preseason All-American Seth Beer to right field. Beer led the Tigers with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs in 2017. Williams ranked second in RBIs (51) and homers (14).

Also in the infield, Lee said that junior Jordan Greene will start as a second baseman and redshirt junior Grayson Byrd will start at third base. Greene hit .263 with nine doubles and 18 RBIs last season, while Byrd batted .284 with 20 RBIs.

Clemson is coming off hosting a regional for a second-straight season, finishing with a 42-21 record. William & Mary went 32-25 last season.